Collapsible pontoon.



G. JOHNSTON.

COLLAPSIBLE PONTOON.

APPLICATION FlLED MAR. 9, 191a.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

2 SHEETSSHEET I WITNESSES ATTORNEYS G. JOHNSTON.

COLLAPSIBLE PONTOON.

Patented Feb. 6, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 M/l/E/VTOI? ka /w/on day/Kevan; L/AWA $6 momvm GREENHOWJOHNSTON, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

COLLAPSIBLE PONTOON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1911?.

Application filed March 9, 1916. Serial No. 83,155.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, GnnnNI-Iow JOHNSTON, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State ofVirginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inCollapsible Pontoons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to collapsible pontoons and it consists in thecombinations, constructions and arrangements herein de scribed andclaimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a collapsible pontoon which maybe taken down or set up and which while being of exceedingly lightweight, is nevertheless strong and durable.

A further object of my invention is to provide a collapsible pontoonhaving few parts which may be readily assembled.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specificationand the novel features of the device will be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a partof this application, in which- Figure 1 is a erspective view of one ofthe pontoon IIIGHEJGI'S.

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing the manner of securing thecanvas covering.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section through the bottom and sides of thefolding frame.

Fig. 4: is a detail perspective view of a portion of-the collapsibleframe.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view showing the means for securing theframe members together.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section through the device.

Fig. 8 is a transverse section.

Fig. 9 is a detail view showing the securing flange.

In carrying out my invention, I provide a bottom composed oflongitudinal members 1 and cross members 2. Each of the longitudinalmembers 1 is provided with a groove 1 on its outer upper side arrangedto receive the side frame members. The latter consist of longitudinalstrips 3 which are hinged to the longitudinal members 1 at 4. Thelongitudinal members 3 have uprights 5 supporting a longitudinal member6 which is grooved at 6 at its inner side as shown in Fig. 5.

There are two of these side frame members hinged to the bottom. Theseare arranged to fold over, in the manner shown in Fig. 3.

As will be seen from Fig. 5, the bottom forward ends of the member 3 arecurved upwardly, while the bottom is extended on beyond the curved ends.This extension of Q the bottom is flexible and may be brought up againstthe curved portion, so as to round up the end of the pontoon member asshown in Figs. 1 and 7. In order to hold the bent portion of the bottomagainst the curved edges of the members 3, I provide a flange or lip 7which is secured to an upper frame 8, which is designed to form thefourth side of the rectangular framework of the pontoon member. Thisframe 8 is designed to lit in the groove 6 of the side members (i andwhen the extended end of the bottom is bent around the curved forwardend of the side members, the lip or flange 7 is drawn up closely againstthe end and bolts such as those shown at 9 in Figs. 5 and 6 are passedthrough the members 6 and 8 thereby securing the frame together.

The body of the pontoon member consists merely of a resilient waterproofcovering 10 which is preferably canvas which has been treated to give itwaterproof properties. The canvas may be made in the form of a bag intowhich the front end of the frame of the pontoon member is slipped. Thisbag is longer than the frame. It may be folded over the rear end of theframe as shown in Fig. 2 and may be provided with snaps 11 arranged toengage buttons on the canvas body portion so that when the end isbrought over the rear portion of the frame, it may be fastened in themanner indicated in Fig. 1 at 12.

Obviously a pontoon member made in the manner described might be of anysuitable dimensions. I prefer to make the pontoon members foldable inboth directions, that is to construct the sides so they may be foldedlaterally toward each other. I also prefer to make the pontoon member inone or more sections, these sections being joined by hinges 13. Thispermits the whole pontoon to be folded compactly and take up very littlespace. In transporting the device, the canvas covering may be loosenedat the rear end of the frame. The bag may then be opened and pulled upover the framework. The bolts 9 may be removed from the top member Sandthe latter may be slid forwardly until the forward end of the bottomframe is released, when the latter will spring down to the positionshown in Fig. 3. The top frame 8 may then be removed and folded and itstwo sections folded together. The bottom frame member, together with theside frame members may be folded together and these placed with thefolded top member, thus making a compact and light bundle.

A pontoon made as described, has the advantage of being light and easilytransported. At the same time, the waterproof covering is provided witha stiff framework making a very buoyant body. Such aepontoonmember maybe used with others of boats, bridges or members are similarconstruction for other devices where pontoon needed.

I claim: 7

1. A pontoon member comprising an interior frame and an exteriorwaterproof fabric covering therefor, said interior frame comprising sidemembers having curved ends, a bottom member hinged to said side membersand having a spring end arranged to be bent up into engagement with therounded ends of said side members,'-means fOr securing the spring end ofthe bottom, said securing means comprising a flange secured to the topmember ofthe interior frame and arranged to engage said vspring end andbolts for securing the top frame member to the side members of theframe.

2. A pontoon member comprising an interior frame, said interior frameconsisting of side members having curved forward ends, a bottom memberhinged tosaid 'side members and having a spring end arranged to be bentup into engagement with the curved ends of said side members, means forsecuring the spring end of the bottom member to the curved side members,and an exterior waterproof covering made in the shape of a bag, said bagthe pontoon member whereby the bag may be folded over one end of thepontoon member, and means for securing the folded portion of the bag. 7

3. A pontoon member comprising an interior frame, said interior frameconsisting of side members having curved forward ends, a bottom memberhinged to said side members and having a spring to be bent up intoengagement with the curved ends of said side members, means for Vsecuring the. spring end of the bottom member to the curved sldemembers, and a waterproof covering covering comprislng a bag having oneend rounded to conform with the curved end of the frame, said framebeing arranged ,to enter the bag, and said bag being prolonged beyondthe folded over one end of the frame, and means for securing the foldedendof the bag.

7 onnnnnow Jonns'rou.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

' Washington, D. C. i

being longer than end arranged for the frame, said frame whereby the bagmay be u

